Retaliation: Operation Enduring Freedom

The Pentagon said it has named the U.S. campaign against terrorism "Operation Enduring Freedom," which U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said denotes that the campaign will not be a "quick fix."

UPDATE:

In a briefing at the Pentagon, Rumsfeld said the anti-terror mission will not be as clearly defined as past wars. "It is not going to be over in five minutes or five months, it'll take years, I suspect," he said. "You never bet against the American people. They will have the patience and they will recognize the importance of it." (Full story)

Saudi Arabia has cut diplomatic ties to Afghanistan's ruling Taliban government, further isolating the regime and leaving Pakistan as the only nation that recognizes the Taliban as the nation's legitimate government. (Full story)

Sporadic gun and artillery fire was heard overnight and into Tuesday as forces of the opposition Northern Alliance and ruling Taliban clashed along the front lines some 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of Kabul. (Full story)

Lt. Gen. Michael V. Hayden: Director of the U.S. National Security Agency, responsible for gathering intelligence on terrorist cells.

Gen. Pervez Musharraf: The military ruler of Pakistan, one of two countries that officially recognizes the Taliban, the ruling militia of
Afghanistan harboring bin Laden. The others are Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Click here for more.

Mullah Mohammed Omar: The Muslim cleric who leads Afghanistan's ruling Taliban. Taliban officials say they have played host to bin Laden but do not allow him to engage in terrorist activities. Click here for more.

Northern Alliance: A group of former mujahedeen fighters, mainly from minority ethnic groups, that oppose the Taliban. The group controls about five percent of northern Afghanistan. Click here for more

IMPACT:

The attacks on the nation's landmarks of power and security signal the start of a protracted battle on terrorism that could permanently alter core U.S. military and diplomatic strategies.